Popular companies have confirmed their participation in the new non-profit group. Leading the pack are Intel, Samsung, and Dell joined by chipmakers Atmel and Broadcom. The new coalition designed their own version of the "Internet of Things (IoT) predicted to come into full force in the near future.
The IoT concept deals with the way electronic devices and common household objects such as light bulbs, thermostats, and refrigerators are Internet-connected and how they would respond to each other by using several means such as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. These devices will have a common language for easier connection and communication. Initially, the OIC will focus on home and office environments while other areas such as automotive are placed next in line. Since the project is open-source, member companies agreed to donate intellectual property (IP) which can be used by all the members in the group.
The coalition activity sees the huge opportunity in gaining a strong market presence in the future. Eventually, the IoT will be able to have control on around 200 billion cars, household and office appliances, relevant machinery, and useful devices on a global scale. Once everything else is Internet-connected, the IoT will be able to remotely operate things and enhance their monitoring and interaction mechanism.
"If you don't align around some standards, it will actually slow the adoption and delay industries to participate and take advantage around these kinds of capabilities," said Intel's general manager of software and services group Doug Fisher.
Sharing the group's mission is the AllSeen Alliance which was created in December and led by Qualcomm. The IoT group has more than 50 member companies which also include Cisco, Panasonic, Sharp, LG, and Microsoft, the latest member to join.
While both groups have a similar mission, they are said to utilize different open-source software. OIC plans to release its own around the third quarter of the year. On the other hand, AllSeen uses the open-source AllJoyn software which is created by Qualcomm.
The OIC believes that its members will have greater advantage than members of the AllSeen group. For one thing, OIC members will be able to work independently from AllSeen's Qualcomm-centered technology. When this happens, each OIC member can concentrate on finding ways to develop the group's new software.
Non-members such as Google, Apple, and other companies are said to create their own IoT standards. Google has placed Nest in artnership with companies such as Whirlpool Corp and LIFX, a light bulb manufacturer, to integrate their products with thermostats and smoke detecting devices. Apple announced integrating their products with Homekit which would involve devices such as lights and thermostats.
